Copy of CVs and Formal letter-writing - EPS 2011

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Transcript of Copy of CVs and Formal letter-writing - EPS 2011

CVs and formal letter-writingCover lettersCurriculum Vitae (CV)Brief summary of qualifications, employment history and achievementsWhat not to includeFormatting11 point2cm marginsStructure Don’t just repeat what is in your CV.For every place of education you have attended (inc. your current one):AcademicDo your researchCarrying out telephone follow-up after you've sent your letters and CVs, will also greatly improve your success.easyreliablesafeTo communicate any other information such as special circumstances or availability for interview.3 purposes of a cover letterTo sell yourself and convince the employer of your suitability and enthusiasm for the role.To highlight any particular information from your CV - especially notable or relevant.1234Describe what you have to offer that is directly relevant to the role.Explain how your skills, experiences and achievements relate to the essential requirments of the job.1 advertised2 speculativeWrite two concise paragraphs on why you’d like to work for the company and what sort of role you are looking for.Match yourself to the jobWhy the organisation interests yousupporting information+Thorough research shows genuine interest, time and considerationThank the reader for their time considerationActively state you would welcome the chance of an inteview.+Two typesadvertised jobspeculativeFind out exactly why your application failedSay thank you to whoever gives you feedback and learn from your mistakes.iPersonal informationAsk permission first!‘available upon request’8. References e.g. University tutor/ project supervisore.g. a manager or supervisorWork-relatedNamePosition/Relationship to youContact detailsLetter to a named person is looked on much more favourablyGeneral tips for proofreadingAlways be thinking about your audienceWho are they?What do they do?Who do they work for?ExperienceWhat is your relationship with them?Why would they want to hire you?What do they want to know?KnowledgeWhoCommon formatting mistakesMargins that are too big or too small often too manyUse a serifed fontFont is too or tooTimes New Roman, Size 11 or 12Too much special formattingMore than one font isText alignmentText with jagged edges are harder to readInconsistent and poorly designed

spacing betweenParagraphs should be clearly separated by a line spaceNormal text should be seperated by 1.5 linespacingThis goes for figures and equations toolines and paragraphsbigsmallIncorrect/inconsistent use of bulleted and numbered listsLists of items where the order does not necessarily matterBullet pointsNumbered listsUsed when describing sequences or processes. Can be used instead of long, complicated prose.Use them appropriately and with a consistent style!CV2. ProfileStart with a two-three sentence overview (your skills, your exceptional qualities, career plan/goals)1. TitleName and primary contact detailsFull home address not always necessary as it will be on your covering letter.3. Employment4. EducationMost employers contact your references once they have decided you are a suitable candidateThe institution’s name;The town (and country, if it is overseas);Dates (from start to finish);Qualifications and grades and their equivalent grades if they were taken overseas).Highlight good gradesList any specific job-relevant modules or coursesMake sure any gaps in your CV are explained as positively as possibleThe company's name;The town (and country, if it is overseas);Dates (from start to finish);Your position/Job titleBrief (one line) description of the roleFor every RELEVANT place of work (inc. your current job):Postions of responsibilityRelevance of experienceFocus AmbitionMake sure dates are consistentPositions of responsibilityExtra-curricular activitiesTransferable skillsliteracynumeracycomputer literacyinterpersonal awarenessproblem-solvingcriticial evaluationresearch skillshigher-order analysisperspectivespragmatismorganisationtime-managementindependant thinking/learningleadership

Mentoring/supervisionStudent representativeCommittee memberTeam/Project leader5. Job-specific information/experienceProjectsPublicationsConference presentationsExercise - Profile statementSStartStart with a set of key words about yourself and your ambitionsTurnTurn this into a short (2-3 sentence) profileShShare it with your neighbourDEsign pDesignDesDesign portfolioCourseswCourses and training7.6.Awards/PrizesCVsWhat they areTheir usesWhat they should containFormal lettersTypesStructure and contentStandard formattingSkillsAmbitionInterestsPersonalityDo your research!Who?What?When?How?Where?The only way to know if you are the right person for the job is to know what YOU and THEY are looking for!Exercise - What are you looking for?Write down some key words for the type of career you are looking for.Only things relevant to that particular job!Important points1. Title2. Personal profile3. Education4. Employment5. Job-specific informatin/experience6. Skills7. ReferencesStructure and content will diffe according to:The companyThe professionThe jobThe countryYour experienceBasic/Generic structureExamples of words and phrases to use in a CVavoid graphics and tables - they can look clutteredavoid too much white space.even if a job calls for artistic creativity (you can always provide a portfolio of your work)No!Keep it simple and consistent